It’s been a long road for Isaiah Simmons, but now with the Green Bay Packers, the former eighth-overall pick feels like he finally has a real chance to show what he can do.
After being drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, expectations were sky-high. The versatile defender from Clemson was supposed to be an instant impact player, and while flashes of that potential showed early on, consistency never fully clicked.
By 2023, the New York Giants saw an opportunity to buy low. They traded a 2024 seventh-round pick to bring him aboard, hoping to unlock his full potential.
Instead, they found a player still searching for his role.
A Positional Puzzle: Why It Didn’t Click in New York
Simmons’ time with the Giants was marked by constant positional shifts.
Once a linebacker in Arizona, he was moved around between safety and off-ball linebacker during his two seasons in East Rutherford.
In 2023, he played 50% of the defensive snaps and recorded 50 tackles, one interception, and a pick-six. But by 2024, his production dropped significantly — just 21 tackles and zero interceptions across 17 games.
His snap count dwindled to career lows.
“I think really what I ran into most of my career is everybody wants me to do everything as opposed to letting me get really good at one thing first,” Simmons recently told reporters.
That frustration was real, and it only grew under inconsistent usage in New York.
Still, he doesn’t hold any grudges.
“They lit a fire under me, and I’m ready to go,” he said.
Finding Clarity in Green Bay
Now with the Packers, Simmons says he’s finally being given the structure he needs to thrive.
Head coach Mike LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley have put him back at linebacker, where he thrived in college, and are giving him a clear path forward.
“I fully believe in Haf’s plan. He’s letting me just lock in and learn a small portion first before we even think about expanding to anything else.”
That kind of focused development is something Simmons never truly had in Arizona or New York. And he knows it could be the key to turning his career around.
At 27 years old and entering his sixth NFL season, this might be his last shot to prove he belongs among the league’s top defenders.
What’s Next for Simmons?
The Packers signed Simmons to a one-year prove-it deal — the same kind of contract he had in New York. But this time, the situation feels different.
He’s in a system that values his versatility, without overloading him. He’s surrounded by young talent and a coaching staff committed to maximizing his strengths.
And perhaps most importantly, he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder.
After being labeled a bust by some, bounced from position to position, and ultimately let go by the Giants, Simmons is hungry to rewrite his story.
This isn’t just about redemption.
It’s about proving that his draft-day hype wasn’t misplaced — just delayed.